Asian CineVision is pleased to announce its collaboration with TPECC (Taipei Cultural Center of TECO in New York) for a special showcase, TAIWAN CINEMA DAYS, showing at the Asian American International Film Festival. This showcase represents Taiwanese films across a spectrum of genres and generations, and features this year’s greatest achievements for Taiwanese cinema. It shows the emerging talents in local and transnational productions, which is a historical signpost of the evolution of the cinema of Taiwan. The program aims to recognize the inheritance and breakthrough of the rich legacies of this cinema, while simultaneously showing the fresh and creative energies of Taiwanese directors. « more »

In light of the recent Supreme Court decisions regarding Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act, Asian CineVision and the 36th Asian American International Film Festival are especially proud to present a strong lineup of LGBTQ films this year, with films running from July 24th to August 3rd, 2013. This year’s lineup not only sheds light on the visibility issues of LGBTQ communities in Asian countries, but also highlights the differences of those communities within their respective cultures. This year’s lineup includes SOONGAVA – DANCE OF THE ORCHIDS, as the AAIFF’13 Centerpiece Presentation, as well as the following films: NOOR; REQUIEME!; DAWN (short); HOW I LEARNED TO TELL A LIE (short); HOWARD (short). These films represent a diverse range of filmmaking approaches – some films feature strong, straightforward drama or the reversal of perspective on an international event; other films feature a non-professional actor playing himself in a fictionalized representation of real life experiences. Detailed film descriptions can be found at aaiff.org. « more »

Former Yankees star Hideki Matsui is set to retire as a Yankee on Sunday, when he will be honored by the team with “Hideki Matsui Bobblehead Day.” « more »

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the passing away of the internationally renowned martial arts movie star Bruce Lee. A large-scale exhibition, “Bruce Lee: Kung Fu • Art • Life”, is being presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum in commemoration. The opening ceremony of the exhibition was held today with Hong Kong Financial Secretary, Mr. John C Tsang, officiating. « more »

The New York Asian Film Festival 2013 ended Monday night with the sold-out North American Premiere of Jay Chou’s THE ROOFTOP, but there is still news to report. « more »

Monkey: Journey to the West is a music theater piece based on a classic Chinese folktale “Journey to the West” which dates to 1592. It is conceived, written and directed by Chen Shi-Zheng. The composer is Damon Albarn, best known in the U.S. as the singer/songwriter in the band Blur. The designer/animator is Jamie Hewlett, who, together with Albarn, created the virtual band, Gorillaz*. « more »

“North America’s premiere showcase for Japanese film” (Firefox News), JAPAN CUTS: The New York Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema is back! In its seventh season, with 10 days of screenings and over 20 titles, JAPAN CUTS 2013 presents the roughest, sharpest, and smoothest of today’s cutting-edge Japanese film scene, encompassing bigger-than-life blockbusters, high-concept art house titles, moving and provoking documentaries, delirious rom-coms, refined melodramas and a handful of UFOs—unidentified film objects. Taking place from July 11 to 21, JAPAN CUTS 2013 again dovetails with the New York Asian Film Festival (in its 12th edition, June 28-July 15), which co-presents 12 films from July 11-14. « more »

The much anticipated New York Asian Film Festival announced this year’s program, and Taiwan’s THE ROOFTOP is selected as Closing Night Presentation. Along with this Jay Chou film, acclaimed contemporary film titles from Taiwan including WHEN WOLF FALLS IN LOVE WITH A SHEEP (directed by Hou Chi-Jan) and FOREVER LOVE (by Aozaru Shiao, Kitamura Toyoharu ) will also feature the festival. Director Hou Chi-Jan and director Aozaru Shiao will attend the after-screening talks. « more »

The Ministry of Culture, Taipei Cultural Center of TECO in New York proudly presents Horizon Realm: Contemporary Art from Taiwan, an exhibition held at Tenri Cultural Institute, 43a West 13th Street, NYC from July 11th through August 9th, 2013 with an Opening Reception on July 11th, 2013 from 6-8PM. « more »